The seventh meeting of the University Assessment Panel (UAP) for the
2003-2004 academic year was held on Friday, February 20, 2004, at 10:00
a.m. in Lowden Hall 304.

Announcements

Cassidy distributed a CD containing the Higher Learning Commission
– Self Study 2004, which also included the university assessment plan,
to the panel members. Donna Askins and Jan Rintala are finalizing
the organization of the resource room for the Higher Learning Commission
site visit.

Employer Feedback on Alumni Performance

The panel discussed ways to improve receiving data on the success of
students post graduation. Confidentiality is an issue that arises
in the use of employer surveys. Barnard reported that next year a
survey will be distributed to employers at career/job fairs to assess their
perceptions of NIU student qualifications, the quality of their resumes,
and preparation for employment. Barnard will talk to Ron Short to
see if they can track what department or degree the students are from.
Cassidy stated that programs were given suggestions for a variety of means
for collecting feedback including advisory groups and information on tenure/promotion.
Cassidy asked Barnard to develop a statement about how the use of data
from alumni surveys could be used in conjunction with other data sources
to meet this criterion and to report at the next meeting.

IBHE Statewide Results Report

The IBHE compiles an annual statewide results report based on the information
submitted in the results reports from the Illinois public and private universities,
ICCB, IMSA, and ISAC. This report also incorporates initiatives implemented
under the aegis of the IBHE. As a composite the statewide report identifies
the accomplishments in meeting the Illinois Commitment goals during the
fiscal year, as well as the challenges that remain for the upcoming year(s).
The report is organized around each of the six goals, and provides specific
examples of campus and higher board activities.

This report addresses the data on the statewide and common-institutional
indicators, which were introduced as part of the results report for FY03.
This year NIU will identify goals for meeting the common-institutional
indicators and report them in the FY04 results report. The process
has started with the provost staff and the Office of Institutional Research.
The next steps will be to discuss the goals with the UAP and the Council
of Deans before bringing them to the Academic Planning Council for approval.

University Programming and Activities Assessment Plan

The panel reviewed the assessment plan from University Programming and
Activities and gave suggestions for revisions. Their request for
funding for a teleconference in April was approved. The panel will
discuss the plan with the director and associate director at the next meeting
and make a determination about the funding request for an external review
for the unit.

Feedback on Assessment Plans

Feedback on assessment plans from Business Administration, M.B.A. and
Literacy Education, Reading, M.S.Ed. was given. The discussion of
the remaining reports will be continued at the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m. The next meeting of the
UAP will be March 5, 2004 in Lowden Hall 304.